ers, that they felt
his glance upon them, without daring to meet it. Only the Prince of
Prussia drew still nearer to the king.

"Sire," said he, in a calm voice, "my duty demands that I should give
your majesty a list of the army. Will you be graciously pleased to
accept it from me?" He took the paper from his pocket, and handed it to
the king, who snatched it from him hastily, and turned his back again
upon them.

"Withdraw, messieurs," said he, "your presence oppresses me; you remind
me of the disgraceful defeat my army has suffered, through the guilt of
its leaders."

"Sire," said the Duke of Severn, "will your majesty listen to our
justification?"

"Justification!" cried the king, with flashing eyes--"if this
unparalleled disgrace which you have all brought upon my army could be
justified, I might pity; but I must curse you. Go, sir duke, I will not
look upon you." And springing with youthful activity from his horse, he
entered his tent.

The generals were alone. They looked upon each other's death-like faces
with suppressed scorn upon their trembling lips, and tears of rage in
their eyes.

"Shall we bear this shame silently?" said one.

"Shall we allow ourselves to be scolded like schoolboys?" said another.
"Shall we suffer foul accusations to be brought against us, and no
opportunity granted for justification?"

As the murmur of the generals became louder, the Prince of Prussia, who
had been standing aside in deep thought, came forward. An expression of
calm resolve was written upon his noble features.

"No, gentlemen, you shall not suffer this. I undertake to justify you to
the king."

"Do not attempt it, prince," said the Duke of Wurteinberg; "at least,
not in this hour. The king will crush you in his rage!"

Prince Augustus William cast his eyes to heaven, saying, "I am in the
hands of God. I would rather die by the king's rage than to endure his
contempt. The king made me commander-in-chief of this army corps,
and accuses me of failure in duty! He shall hear my defence. As a
Hohenzollern, as a general, as his brother, I demand the right to make
my report." He advanced hastily toward the king's tent, but the Duke of
Severn held him back.

"Will your royal highness allow me to accompany you?" said he. "The
king's scorn fell upon me personally, and I also demand a hearing."

"No one shall accompany me," said the prince, solemnly. "None but
God shall be witness to what we have to say. Wait for me